Gotu kola has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. It comes from the creeping gotu kola plant found in the swamplands of Sri Lanka, Africa, and Madagascar. Gotu kola benefits are said to be plentiful including healing of wounds, memory enhancement, burn and scar treatment, arthritis relief, purifying blood, and strengthening varicose veins. It has also been used over the centuries to alleviate the symptoms of depression and as a fertility enhancement. Gotu kola is also grown as a salad or leaf vegetable as well as used in tropical zones of Asia as a cover crop.

The gotu kola plant is related to carrot, dill, parsley and fennel but it looks quite a bit different without the feathery leaves its relatives have. It is a slender, creeping plant that likes wetlands such as marshes and swamps. Its stem grows fan-shaped leaves that are about the size of an old British penny.

Also Known As

Gotu kola is a Sanskrit word for “Brahmi” which means “wisdom,” “consciousness,” or “enlightenment.” Gotu kola’s scientific name is centella asiatica. It is also known as centella, Indian pennywort, Asian pennywort, penny weed, sheep-rot, thankuni, hydrocoytle, teca, water pennywort, talepetrako, mandookaparni, and Indian water navelwort.

While the word “kola” in gotu kola’s name often confuses, the gotu kola plant does not contain kola or caffeine. In fact, it is often used by those who wish to avoid caffeine.

Gotu Kola Studies

Many health claims surround the benefits of gotu kola, however, few studies exist to back up these claims.

The Oregon Health and Science University was awarded a grant in 2006 to study the reputed effects that centella asiatica (gotu kola) has on rejuvenating the nerves with a specific emphasis on diabetic neuropathy which is a common complication of diabetes. This study, which will run through August 2009, will examine the potential of products derived from the gotu kola plant as a potential cure for foot ulcerations and diabetic neuropathy.

A 2004 study titled, Inhibitory Effects of Centella asiatica Water Extract and Asiaticoside on Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase During Gastric Ulcer Healing in Rats, performed by the University of Hong Kong concluded that centella asiatica has anti-inflammatory properties that are brought about by the inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis and as a result facilitates the healing of ulcers. Different concentrations of gotu kola were administered to rats that had acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. The sizes of the ulcers were reduced at days one, three, and seven in a dose-dependent manner.

The Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology released the results of a gotu kola study conducted by researchers at the University of Ottawa in their December 2000 issue, A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on the Effects of Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) on Acoustic Startle Response in Healthy Subjects. This study evaluated the anxiolytic activity of gotu kola in healthy patients. Because gotu kola has been used for centuries in eastern medicine to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, researchers wanted to examine the acoustic startle response in humans.

Compared to those given a placebo, those who took gotu kola had a remarkable peak startle response 30 to 60 minutes after treatment. The study concludes that gotu kola has anxiolytic activity in humans. However, the study also says that it is not yet clear whether gotu kola has therapeutic efficacy in treating the symptoms of anxiety.

Government Oversight

No single agency or database oversees herbal remedies. The FDA regulates herbal supplements as foods rather than drugs. While the FDA has specific guidelines as to how nutritional supplements can be marketed, they do not test or approve these natural remedies for safety or effectiveness like they do drugs.

According to the National Institute of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements, dietary supplements are not required to be standardized in the United States. While the government has an actual office dedicated to dietary supplements, the Office of Dietary Supplements is not a regulating agency. Its mission is to provide knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements.

Reputed Benefits of Gotu Kola

Gotu kola has been used as a medicinal herb by many cultures including African, Indian, and Chinese medicine. It has been used to treat leprosy, bronchitis, varicose veins, promoting hair and nail growth, ulcers, hemorrhoids, depression, stress, fatigue, epilepsy, diarrhea, fever, and a whole host of other ailments.

Before taking any type of nutritional supplement, it is important to realize that even natural supplements can pose risks. Gotu kola is an herb which makes it natural. However nature also produces plenty of poisonous plants. Just because something is natural does not always mean it is safe. Many herbal remedies contain high levels of heavy metals which are considered therapeutic in Ayurvedic medicine. However, in the U.S., heavy metals are considered unsafe.

In addition, herbal remedies can interact with prescription and over-the-counter medications. Gotu kola can have a sedative effect. Those taking sleeping aids, sedatives, or drugs that have a sedative side effect should not take gotu kola.

Gotu kola should never be given to children under age four and nursing mothers should not ingest it. Regardless of a person’s age or current health status, a phone call to the doctor before taking this supplement is highly recommended. A second phone call to the pharmacist to discuss possible adverse drug interactions with the supplement is also a good idea.

Gotu kola can cause nausea and other unpleasant side effects, especially in high dosages. According to Mosby’s Handbook of Herbs and Natural Supplements, this herb can lead to increased serum cholesterol and hyperglycemia and should not be taken in conjunction with anti-diabetic medicine or anti-lipidemic medicine nor should it be used by anyone who is sensitive to herbs in the celery family.

Gotu kola has been used in traditional eastern medicine for centuries to treat numerous ailments as well as enhance memory and fertility. It is gaining in popularity as a nutritional supplement and often marketed in capsule form. But is it safe? The FDA does not regulate or test supplements for safety. A few studies have validated various health benefits of gotu kola however strong evidence as to its safety is hard to find.

With no government oversight and dozens of chemicals making up the composition of this herb, taking gotu kola can be risky. Potential adverse drug interactions are a concern as well. When deciding whether or not to take gotu kola, it is essential to check with both physicians as well as pharmacists to make sure it will not interfere with current treatment plans or medications.

Always Consult Your Physician First

It is helpful to prepare yourself with health information by reading and talking to friends, but always consult your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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